Lake Arrowhead State Park
| Lake Arrowhead State Park | |
|---|---|
 Day use area of Lake Arrowhead State Park | |
   | |
| Location | Clay County, Texas |
| Nearest city | Wichita Falls, Texas |
| Coordinates | 33°45′31″N 98°23′43″W / 33.75861°N 98.39528°W |
| Area | 524 acres (212 ha) |
| Created | 1970 |
| Operated by | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
| Visitors | 63,636 (in 2022)[1] |
Lake Arrowhead State Park is a state park located in Clay County, Texas, near Wichita Falls. The park is 524 acres (212 ha).[2]
History
Lake Arrowhead was built as a water source for the city of Wichita Falls and the surrounding area. The surrounding state park land was purchased from the city in 1970, and the park opened the same year.[2]
Nature
The land of Lake Arrowhead State Park was once part of a vast prairie of central North America. Agriculture changed the character of the land. Honey mesquite seeds were brought from South Texas with the cattle drives, and the mesquite savanna has taken over the grasslands of the park.[3] The park has an ongoing prairie restoration project that includes controlled burns.
Animals
White-tailed deer, coyote, bobcat, striped skunk, nine-banded armadillo and North American beaver are seen in the park. Monarch butterflies pass through during migration in spring and fall. Birds documented in the park include painted buntings, bald eagles, osprey, eastern bluebirds, belted kingfishers, American white pelicans, great egrets, scissor-tailed flycatchers, great horned owls, screech owls, barn owls and barred owls.
Fauna
The dominant tree in the park is honey mesquite. Other tree species include cottonwood, hackberry and wild plum.[4] Some plants in the park are Texas bluebonnet, Indian blanket, Texas Indian paintbrush, Maximilian sunflower, Texas blazing star, pink evening primrose, snow-on-the-mountain and milkweed.
Recreation
The park offers ranger-led educational programs throughout the year. The park has facilities for picnicking, fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, nature study, hiking, wildlife observation, horseback riding, camping, and disc golf. There are tent and RV campsites, as well as a pavilion and about 5 miles (8.0 km) of hiking trails.[5]
See also
References
- ^ Christopher Adams. "What is the most visited state park in Texas? Here's the top 10 countdown". KXAN.com. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ a b "Lake Arrowhead State Park History — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ McLeod, Gerald E. "Day Trips: Lake Arrowhead State Park, Wichita Falls". austinchronicle.com. Austin Chronicle Corp. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
- ^ McKee, Terry. "Lake Arrowhead: A jewel of nature in our backyard". timesrecordnews.com. www.timesrecordnews.com. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
- ^ "Lake Arrowhead State Park — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
External links